From Queensland's first permanent light show dazzling the night sky on K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) to Brisbane's new luxe lifestyle precinct Queens Wharf and the opening of one of the most exciting immersive experiences in the city – Bluey's World, 2024 has served up a bumper calendar of new and exciting tourism experiences… and there's plenty more to come in the New Year. Here are new reasons to visit Queensland in 2025:
It's Bluey's World and now you're living in it
It's one of the most popular TV shows in the world and now fans can immerse themselves in the playful universe that is Bluey's World – a unique experience that takes families into the heart of the Heeler's iconic Queenslander home, backyard and neighbourhood. Bluey's World opened in November and delivers real-life sets, beloved characters and games from Bluey as guests interact with cheeky Fairies and curious Garden Gnomes. Located at the 4,000sqm Northshore Pavillion, just 15 minutes from Brisbane CBD, the game-changing venue will attract tens of thousands of visitors from around the world to Queensland.
Lifestyle fit for a Queen
Staying in the Queensland capital, the official opening of Queen's Wharf and The Star Brisbane – the new luxury hotel and lifestyle precinct perched adjacent to the Brisbane River – has dramatically sculpted a new skyline above the city. The imposing Sky Deck 'hangs' 100 metres above the riverbank below and offers unparalleled views across South Bank, Mount Cooth-tha and wider Brisbane. Levels below boast a delectable lineup of restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces with a raft of retail offerings on the horizon.
Great things are happening on the Great Barrier Reef
Pure Snorkelling is a new experience designed for reef lovers short on time but big on diving into the wonders of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. The new half-day snorkelling tour which launched in November, departs from Cairns and is a joint venture between two Cairns family-owned reef operators, Passions of Paradise and Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom, who together have more than 60 years' combined experience showcasing the Great Barrier Reef to inquisitive travellers.
Also in the Tropical North, the Quicksilver Group relaunched Poseidon in October, an adventure focused ecotourism experience targeted at small groups of keen divers and snorkellers with access to exclusive remote reef sites and citizen science opportunities. Operating from Port Douglas, the day trip visits three different sites at Agincourt Ribbon Reef.
In a match made in tourism heaven, Sunlover Reef Cruises has partnered with Zoom Helicopters offering visitors a birds-eye view of the Great Barrier Reef on an all-new Reef Zoom Half Day Tour from Cairns. Cruise or fly out in the morning to the Moore Reef pontoon to explore below the surface before flying back to Cairns, taking in the breathtaking patchwork of cerulean and turquoise blues of the Reef from above.
Emporium Hotel South Bank in Brisbane has launched a new 'reef and retreat' package, taking guests straight from the city to the Great Barrier Reef. The package includes two nights' accommodation at the Emporium South Bank and a full-day adventure by air, land and water to Lady Elliott Island Eco Resort on the Southern Great Barrier Reef, with five hours to explore the island before returning to Brisbane.
The folks behind Lady Musgrave Experience have added to their day tour offering, launching a second pontoon off Lady Musgrave Island, Reef Sanctuary, which serves as a base for critical science, research and data collection initiatives. Guests can get a behind the scenes glimpse of the important work being undertaken to futureproof the Reef when visiting the Southern Great Barrier Reef with Lady Musgrave Experience.
Queensland by land, air and water
Queensland's first permanent light show, Illumina, recently launched at Kingfisher Bay Resort on the western shores of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). By beaming light, colour and sound across the island's natural environment backdrop, to showcase the vibrant ecosystem that makes the island special, Illumina presents as a unique nighttime attraction for guests of the resort.
September saw the first stage of the Wangetti Trail open to hikers and mountain bikers at Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland. The two-way, shared track takes approximately 1.5 hours to hike and 45 minutes to ride one way from the Palm Cove Jetty to Ellis Beach. The 7.8km Grade 3 track is suitable for most ages and fitness levels.
Keep the walking shoes on as there's pavement to pound in the state's capital with Local Sauce Tours kicking off its Brisbane endeavour in October with two new tours. Brisbane Small Bars & Street Art is perfect for those wanting to get antiquated with local watering holes off the beaten track as well as funky street art that adorns many of the city's lanes. The Ultimate Brisbane Walking Tour puts Brisbane's culture, history, society and First Nations people front and centre allowing newcomers to delve deeper into Brisbane's past.
Travellers exploring the charm of Outback Queensland can now sink into the depths of relaxation under big blue skies at Cunnamulla Hot Springs, which opened its doors at the start of the year. Nestled alongside the Warrego River in southwest Queensland, the experience serves up a series of geothermal pools brimming with mineral-rich artesian water to sooth and revitalise the mind, body and soul in the middle of the Outback.
Oceanview Helicopters' new Picnic on a Peak experience, takes food tourism on the Sunshine Coast to new heights with a scenic flight over the Glass House Mountains before landing on a private peak in the hinterland hills to enjoy a secluded picnic brimming with local produce, craft beer, wines and premium spirits.
With so many new experiences to check out, start planning a 2025 Queensland holiday at queensland.com or contact our travel partner Explorer Travel Holidays
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